This week the DOL published its final rule requiring federal contractors to provide paid sick leave to employees working on or in connection with federal contracts. The sick leave required by the final rule would allow an employee to use accrued paid sick leave for their own illness, the need to care for a sick
Employee Benefits
Vacation Pay not Automatically Due and Owing on Termination of Employment
By Russell Cawyer on
Posted in Employee Benefits, Wage & Hour
In many states, an employee’s accrued, but unused vacation time must be paid on termination of employment. However, under longstanding Texas law, an employee is not entitled to be paid for accrued, but unused vacation, on termination of employment unless the employee has a written agreement with the employee to do so or employer has a specific…
Healthy Workforce Act Introduced in Senate
By Russell Cawyer on
Posted in Employee Benefits
According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 35 percent of all Americans are overweight and obese. Last week, Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), John Cornyn (R-TX) and Representatives Blumenauer (D-OR) and Mack (R-CA) have introduced the bipartisan Healthy Workforce Act. (HR 1897, SB 803). The bills would provide a tax credit to companies that offer…
DOL Issues New Model COBRA Notices
By Russell Cawyer on
Posted in Employee Benefits
On March 19, 2009, the U.S. Department of Labor issued four new model COBRA notices for use under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). ARRA authorized a 65 percent government subsidy for continuing COBRA health care coverage for employees laid off between September 1, 2008 and December 31, 2010. Additionally, the Department issued answers to 25 frequently…